Democratic Republic of Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is a large African country on the equator with a small coastline where the Congo River empties to the Atlantic Ocean, with a population of 60.7 million and capital city of Kinshasa.[1] The country of Republic of Congo (or Congo) neighbors just to the west and north.[2]

DR Congo, which has vast economic resources, has been in a five year war which has been called Africa's world war where around three million people have died, not only from direct fighting but also from resulting disease and starvation. The country now has the United Nations' largest peacekeeping force. [3]

Deforestation

Media

The Congolese media operate against a backdrop of political power struggles and violent unrest. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders says media workers face arrest, threats and violence. Reporters exposing corruption are at particular risk. Nonetheless, the press has been able to criticise government bodies, and some publications serve as mouthpieces for opposition parties.

The UN Mission in DR Congo (Monuc) and a Swiss-based organisation, Fondation Hirondelle, launched Radio Okapi in 2002. The network's mostly-Congolese staff broadcast news, music and information about Monuc. It aims to promote dialogue across the political divide and has become one of the country's leading radio stations.[3]

Leaders

Joseph Kabila, President since 2001 when his father was assassinated. Was elected in 2006.

Critical Books

Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja, The Congo from Leopold to Kabila: A People's History (Zed, 2002).